Sahyadri College foundation day: Former legislator Y.S.V. Datta delivers talk on Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar

Hailing Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the Maharaja of Mysore from 1902 to 1940, for his significant contributions to Karnataka, former legislator Y.S.V. Datta pointed out that the king took his Diwan Sir Mirza Ismail to the howdah during the Dasara celebrations and that alone was sufficient to silence the people opposing the State government’s decision to invitate author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the festival.

Delivering a special lecture on Krishnaraja Wadiyar to mark the foundation day of Sahyadri College in Shivamogga on Thursday, Mr. Datta said that the Maharaja was known for his secular and pro-people administration. “He also faced criticism for making Mirza Ismail sit alongside him during the ‘Jamboo Savari’. However, he did not budge and went ahead with his decision. It is highly deplorable to see the decision of inviting Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara receiving so much criticism even now, when we are governed by the Indian Constitution,” he opined.

Krishnaraja Wadiyar, during his tenure, formed the Miller Committee, through which he attempted to give equal representation to all communities, Mr. Datta said. “The appointment of the committee was historic and he took the decision despite opposition from the then Diwan M. Visvesvaraya. Krishnaraja Wadiyar stuck with his decision, although Visvesvaraya resigned in protest against the formation of the committee,” he said.

“There were many development works in Mysuru during Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s tenure. The Krishnaraja Sagar was built across the Cauvery because he and his family ensured funds for the mega project. He was keen on industrial growth, and hence set up Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant in Bhadravathi. Similarly, he gave importance to educational institutions across the State, including Shivamogga,” Mr. Datta added.

Kuvempu University Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy, who presided over the event, said that Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s contribution was significant in making Bengaluru India’s Science City. The Maharaja generously gave lands for the construction of research institutes and industries in Bengaluru, he said. Similarly, Krishnaraja Wadiyar encouraged many artists and musicians, and he understood the materialistic, social, and spiritual needs of the people, Mr. Ananthamurthy added.

S. Siraj Ahmed, principal of Sahyadri Arts College; D. Manjunath, district president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat; and others were present at the programme.